Buddy Valastro

Buddy Valastro is an accomplished fourth-generation baker born in Hoboken, NJ. At an early age, it was clear that he was a natural baker and would go into the family business. He loved spending time with his father, a master baker, as his apprentice, spending countless hours in the bakery learning the old world secrets of baking. They dreamed that together they would make Carlo’s Bakery a household name. Since his father's passing when Buddy was 17, and with the help of his family, his father’s recipes, and his own innovative decorating and sugar art techniques, Buddy has taken Carlo’s Bakery to new heights. Today, Buddy is is often asked to demonstrate, compete, and teach his craft around the country. At Carlo's, Buddy and his staff turn out thousands of wedding cakes, specialty cakes, and pastries weekly. His award- winning designs have been featured numerous times in different bridal and baking magazines. His memoir cookbook, Cake Boss: The Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia, is a New York Times bestseller and Carlo’s Bakery has been featured in books, newspapers, such as The New York Times, and television, mostly The Food Network, although he and his cakes have also been featured on The Today’s Show, Good Morning America, The View, and HBO’s hit series, The Sopranos. His next book, BAKING WITH THE CAKE BOSS, will be on sale in November, 2011.